Anxiety waiting for families of Indian nationals to obtain death certificates about their dear, who died of fighting for the Russian armed forces in the war with Ukraine, will be longer than expected. Many of them reportedly cheated on the promise of lucrative jobs in the Russian armed forces.
According to the latest update, up to 13 Indian nationals hired in Russia as mercenaries in the war with Ukraine remain in the Russian armed forces.
However, 12 of them were reported, said the State Minister for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in Parliament.
Although the Russian authorities were invited to provide an update to all remaining/missing individuals and ensure their security and premature release, many of them were allegedly killed in the war.
Ajith Kolassery, CEO of Norwegian-Roots, said Binil Baba, 32, one of the two young people from Thrissura forcibly written by the Russian army, was killed in attack on the Russian-Ukraine in January and was reportedly included in the missing list.
“Recently, during the visit of Russia, I personally asked the possibility of confirming the death and issue of a death certificate at the earliest. However, it will take at least one year to confirm it and issue a death certificate,” Mr. Kolassery said.
According to official information, 127 Indian nationals were in the Russian armed forces, of which 98 services were terminated as a result of permanent involvement between the Indian and Russian government.
However, it is assumed that more Indians have been admitted to the Russian armed forces, including kerite, as mercenaries. Given that most of them were not in the war without immediate danger, their families refused to lose their rescue, Mr. Kolassery said.
Formerly another kerite, identified as Sandeep Chandran, 36 years, from Thrissur, died of shelling in Ukraine in August 2024.
Published – 1 August 2025 9:42
